Green Sea Turtle

Green Sea Turtle

Scientific Name:Chelonia mydas

Appearance: They are named for their distinctive green skin, not for their brown or olive colored shell. They are known to be one of the largest sea turtles in the world, ranging between 3 to 5 feet and can weigh up to 700 pounds. Their heads are non-retractable and small, while their flippers are very large and resemble paddles.

Range: They are found in tropical and subtropical waters that range along the world’s coasts.

Why they are disappearing: Green Sea Turtles face over-hunting, drowning from fishing nets and deadly injury from boat propellers as adults. However, they also face extreme destruction of their nesting grounds, which is contributing to the endangerment of the species.